haines his way

09/05/2002:
"MISSING SENTENCES"

Well, dear readers, I am getting tired of having to write an opening sentence. From now on I am going to start with the second sentence. Won’t that be easier? Then I never again have to start at the fershluganah page and think, “Oh, dear, whatever shall the opening sentence be.” Why do there even have to be opening sentences? Damn them, damn them all to hell. I’ve also decided I don’t like the seventh sentence, so from now on I’m skipping directly to the eighth sentence which, by the way (BTW, in Internet lingo) is just what I did. What the hell am I talking about?
Aren’t there questions to answer, DVDs to talk about and events of the day to discuss? Why am I going on about sentences? I hereby sentence the first and seventh sentence to two years in Sing Sing. Do you think when they named that prison they accidentally wrote a second “sing” and then it just stuck? What a stupid name for a prison. Sing Sing. At least they could have called it Sing Sing Sing and then it would almost be a Benny Goodman song.
Last night I watched a brand spanking new DVD of a motion picture entitled Don’t Look Now, starring Mr. Donald Sutherland and Miss Julie Christie, and also starring Venice. I haven’t seen this motion picture since it came out in 1973. It’s really excellent – very strange, very dreamlike, beautifully directed by Nicholas Roeg. And the ending is still a shocker all these years later. This film was the precursor to things like The Vanishing, but it’s ever so much better. People on the Internet complain all the time about Paramount DVDs because they rarely have any extras, save for a trailer. Well, I don’t complain because they do such great transfers. After all, the main thing here is the film and how it looks. If there are extras beyond that, great, but it’s not of paramount importance to either me or Paramount. This transfer of Don’t Look Now is splendid and therefore it’s a DVD I’m happy to own. The love scene between Mr. Sutherland and Miss Christie was rumored at the time to have a bit too much verisimilitude for Miss Christie’s then boyfriend, Mr. Warren Beatty. If you use your handy-dandy one-frame-at-a-time button, I think you can judge for yourself or at least get an idea.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Don’t I have questions to answer, don’t I have sentences to leave out? For example, I’m leaving out the next sentence.
Did you miss the last sentence? No. In fact, if I hadn’t pointed out that I wasn’t having it you would never have been the wiser. You might have been sadder, but then again I always say the sadder-but-wiser-Hainsie/Kimlet-for-me. What am I, the music man all of a sudden? Well, perhaps we should all click on the Unseemly Button below. I’ll bet there are a few of you who wish I’d left that sentence out in the rain.

Well, we didn’t have as many questions as usual (perhaps a few of you left certain questions out, just like I’m leaving certain sentences out), but the ones we had were excellent. So, let’s get to them right now, shall we?
JMK asks what I consider to be the funniest Candid Camera or Totally Hidden Video stunt I’ve ever seen. I used to watch CC but I don’t really remember anything specific. As to THV, well, I’ll let you in on a little secret: None of the pieces, as shot, was ever really as funny as it was when we got through with it. I used to say that it was all in the voice-overs, and it was really true. However, I think my fave was at the Hollywood Wax Museum, where they had a temp security guard. They’d placed real look-alikes for Chaplin and Clark Gable in amongst the wax figures and while the guard was watching the video monitor, he’d see them move. He freaked out (they did the same bit with six people, but the other five were duds – the sixth was amazing). We had an actor playing his boss – and eventually they went in the room with the figures. Every time the boss would leave, Charlie and Clark would come to life, but whenever our mark would call the boss back they went back to being wax figures. It was a great bit. Usually our bits ran four minutes or so, but that one ran seven because it was so damned funny. I cut it and scored it like a scary movie, with weird music and really funny voiceovers (which I spoke that particular week – they were between host, or had temporary hosts, and for four weeks I spoke all the voiceovers).
William F. Orr asks who produced the cast album of the musical version of No Way to Treat a Lady? Why, I believe I did, and a lot of fun it was, too. It has one of my favorite hidden tracks. Interestingly, six months before I’d recorded it, I’d already recorded two songs from it for Broadway Bound. Is Doug Cohen writing anything else these days? Doug is the busiest man in show business. He’s working on a musical called Children’s Letters to God, as well as one called The Big Time (which was supposed to be done last season at the Drama Department, but I don’t know where it stands right now). I think he’s working on two other new musicals as well, and his musical of The Gig gets performed with some regularity. He’s a very talented man. In fact, David Levy just told me that Doug has two count them two shows opening in Boston in the near future.
Laura asks if I’ve had any responses to my ad on JDate? I have had a few, but none worth mentioning. I did meet one nice gal who, funnily, works down the hall from my agent at William Morris. If I don’t get any more responses, perhaps I’ll try KDate or LDate.
William E. Lurie asks if the Brent Barrett CD, which I produced, will have a bonus track on it for Internet purchases. It certainly was designed to, but I have no idea if it will or not or whether the bonus track will just be on the album. I’m afraid that I am out of the loop, Brent Barrett album-wise.
Steveg asks of all the people I haven’t worked with or produced an album for, who would I like to produce and why? What something special would I, BK, bring to the table that they’re not getting from their current producers. Well, I’m sure some singers are perfectly happy with their current producers, but I would love to do an album with Bernadette Peters, if she would allow me to do what I do. I think we’d make some magic together. I’d also like to do a Barbra Streisand album, even though I know it would be trouble. I would like to get her back to basics – just great arrangements, simple production and honest clean vocals. I would have enjoyed doing Kristin Chenoweth (not literally), and in fact we’d talked about it. I’m sure there are others, too.
Jed has been listening to the Terry Trotter “in Jazz” CDs and asks which is my personal favorite of those albums. Well, if we’re limiting it to Sondheim (I’ve done others with him), I would have to say I still fancy the Passion album. I think we all worked wonders on that album, taking a difficult score and really making it work in the jazz idiom. I also think there was some magic afoot when we recorded it, because it is a great-sounding album, just as good as I’ve ever done. Vinnie was on a magical planet that day – it was simply perfect. I’m also really fond of A Little Night Music. The weirdest Trotter album is Sketches on Star Wars, a jazz version of Mr. Williams’ music.
Tom from Oz asks who my three favorite characters are from Sondheim musicals. Well, let’s see – if we’re talking Sondheim music and lyrics both – Pseudolus, Sally (from Follies) and maybe Charlotte from A Little Night Music. I also like the Shogun’s wife (who serves him that lovely tea) in Pacific Overtures. Who is my favorite Jerry’s Girl? I don’t even know who they were. Lena Horne? Was she a Jerry’s Girl? Was Dorothy Loudon a Jerry’s Girl? If so, I vote for Dorothy. Who would I like to see host next year’s Tony Awards. Well, if there could be just one host, maybe Nathan Lane. If not someone fun, then just give us Miss Angela Lansbury, who has class.
Kerry mentions that I produced two albums with Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner, then a solo album with Emily. He asks why there was no solo Alice CD. Alice’s solo CD was originally going to be first, before Emily. Then she just decided that she really wanted to do her own material, and she went with a label that was more suited to what she wanted to do. We had always intended getting around to a Broadway album, and maybe someday we will. Would I produce a David Campbell CD? I like him very much, so I don’t see why not. I think it would be fun to take him in some new directions and get him out of that “cabaret” thing.
Michael Shayne mentions that he was listening to Mr. Guy Haines sing Corner of the Sky on The Stephen Schwartz Album and asks why I decided to do a fade at the end rather than a definite ending. Well, I suppose it felt right to me, the way the arrangement was. I just felt the singer was going off to find his corner of the sky and I wanted to fade him out doing so, if that makes sense. I don’t do a lot of fades, but I do like them when they make a point. Michael thinks that Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina has the worst ending for any song. How would I end it? I really can’t say – I’d have to listen to it again and figure out an entire arrangement – that would lead me to an ending which I hope would work. But for now, I’d replace the last line of the song with the last line of Some People. That would perk it right up. Michael also mentions that several big-name chorus members on John McGlinn’s recording of Anything Goes use pseudonyms. He’s figured out some but asks who Bryan Landrine, De-Bouree Bach and Dustin Sachs are. I don’t know, but maybe a dear reader does. If so, please post.
S. Woody White asks if I consider myself to be a dog person or a cat person. I would be a dog person, as I’m terribly allergic to cats. What are my favorite cookbooks? I don’t really have any favorites, and I don’t really use any. I do have some sitting on the kitchen counter, and I have used one called The Joy of Pasta. Oh, I remember a cook book I like – Coma, by Robin Cook.
Dennis Clancy asks if I will ever be an actor again, and would I rather do film, theater or TV. I would hate to do that to people. Of course, I never say never, but it would take something awfully special to get me back. That said, the one thing I never got to do as an actor was appear in a Broadway show, and that I would love to do. What is my favorite television program? I know this will come as a shock, but I haven’t really watched a television program in at least five years. I’ve flipped by some, I’ve watched a few minutes of this and that, and I just don’t like anything I see. I know I should probably watch The West Wing and a few others, but I don’t. However, I’m quite addicted to The Sopranos, which I don’t watch on TV, but which I do watch when they release the seasons on DVD. I’ve also watched a couple of Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes, and they have their moments, even though Larry David does get tiresome. Do I wear boxers or briefs? I wear briefs. I don’t like boxers much. When I was young, though, I liked wrestlers, especially the ballet dancer/wrestler, Tricky Ricky Starr.
Craig has his usual plethora of questions. Have I purchased a copy of the OBC of Hairspray yet? Yes, but I haven’t had time to even open it. If I were producing a CD called Everything I Needed to Know I Learned From a Broadway Musical, what songs about life, love, etc. would comprise the CD. Well, I’ve already done the “love” one. I can’t really give an answer because what if it’s really good? You know we have all kinds of lurkers out there in the dark, who come to this site regularly, and we wouldn’t want to give anyone any ideas, now would we? Will I be fasting on Yom Kippur? I haven’t fasted in years, but sometimes instead of doing the fast on Yom Kippur, I do the slow. So, I will be slowing on Yom Kippur while others are fasting. Which side is the sunny side of the street? The side I am on, of course. Will there be Meltz and Ernest products to buy? Well, I suppose I could take that up with our resident bitch-slapper, Mr. Mark Bakalor. Can I explain why the word “dictionary” is in the dictionary? Because some people who use a dictionary need to look up what a dictionary is so they can use it with the knowledge that they know what they’re using. You see, some people don’t know what a dictionary is – so they need to look up what a dictionary is in the dictionary because where else would you find the definition of a dictionary other than a dictionary. You see, that is a good thing about a dictionary – you can find out what a dictionary is. Finally, has anyone ever tried to make popcorn out of baby corn? What would they call such a product? I don’t really know – perhaps we should consult a dictionary.
Matthew says that a friend of his says that I, BK, have, in fact, produced a CD since leaving the label which I created and founded. Not true – unless you count the little Guy Haines/Benjamin Kritzer CD. I did give advice and write notes for Michelle Pirret’s new CD. And I have talked to a few folks about doing stuff.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must leave out some more sentences as the day goes by. I must journey hither and thither in an attempt to go somewhere. These notes are so long that I’ll save today’s announcement for tomorrow. I shall check in later, but let’s have lots of posts. Today’s topic of discussion: Taking a lead from one of the questions – if you could have me produce a CD, what would it be? A show? A singer? A concept album? And which show, which singer and which concept album? You might give me some good ideas. Post away, my pretties.

Replies: 51 Unseemly Comments

Oh, BK! The Chrysanthemum Tea is served by the Shogun's MOTHER! Mistakes are so unlike you that I will forego the deserved bitch-slapping.
As for the CD I'd like you to do: Promises, Promises, with Jason Graae, of course!
Posted by Pam @ 09/05/2002 10:02 AM PST

Of course it's the Shogun's mother - serves me right for adding to an answer JUST before posting. Haste makes waste and waste makes haste.
Posted by bk @ 09/05/2002 10:08 AM PST

I would love for BK to produce additional volumes of LOST IN BOSTON and UNSUNG MUSICALS. There is still a lot of material that was lost or unsung that needs to be heard.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/05/2002 10:10 AM PST

I think I would like BK to produce the OCR of the show I am currently writing, if we ever get the fershlugunah score together.
Barring that, the first complete album of Carrie would be nice. And perhaps a several-CD set with all 110 songs that Schmidt and Jones wrote for 110 in de Shade.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/05/2002 10:31 AM PST

And how about that great star Varius Artists singing The Songs of Bruce Kimmel?
Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/05/2002 10:33 AM PST

Picking up on Mr. Orr's comment, I would like a compilation/tribute/concept album using Jones and Schmidt material from all of their work, The Fantasticks, Celebration, 110 in the Shade, etc. And you could pick from the usual suspects for singers, Jason Graae, the lovely and under-appreciated Kaye Ballard, David Garrison, Judy Kaye and so many others.
Posted by Ben @ 09/05/2002 10:45 AM PST

The invisible questioner!
Posted by Chopped Liver @ 09/05/2002 10:48 AM PST

First thought for a CD would be Jason Graae doing ballads. He does the comedy stuff so well, but his voice is beautiful on the slower things. The stuff like "So Far, So Good" doesn't really qualify as a ballad, but would work nicely for up pieces.
I'll think up other ideas while I'm working.
The Guy Haines Cd we all discussed a few days ago is already anticipated by me.
Same with the Tony Hatch Cd and the Male singers (solos and duets---even quartets)CD. I'm ready to spend my hard-earned cash on all of these!!
Posted by Kerry @ 09/05/2002 10:57 AM PST

Now that BK has teased us with selections from shows that were never recorded (UNSUNG MUSICALS), perhaps he could actually record one of these shows? Based on the sampling from the "unsung" series, my top three suggestions:
SMILE (I've heard the demo recording of the score, and would love to see a commercial release of this show.)
CARNIVAL IN FLANDERS (In addition to the two songs that BK recorded, there is also the classic "Here's That Rainy Day", which all by itself would make this CD worth owning.)
BROWNSTONE (BK not only gave us "He Didn't Leave It Here" on the UNSUNG MUSICALS III, but also Liz Callaway's lovely rendition of "Since You Stayed Here". I'd love to hear the rest...)
With Jones and Schmidt working on ROADSIDE again, maybe Bruce will want to record that one?
And of course, my standard request for a decent cast recording of Maury Yeston's NINE. The upcoming revival will only be worth hearing if Antonio Banderas is replaced as Guido, but it seems the producers are under the impression that his name will sell tickets, so we are stuck with him. A crying shame...
Now, if we were a lobby group (akin to that group who wants Michael Crawford to play the Phantom in the film of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, although God knows why), who would we suggest as a replacement for Mr. Banderas (in NINE, not in PHANTOM)?
Posted by Dave @ 09/05/2002 11:02 AM PST

While doing Sweeney Todd this past summer at the Kennedy Center, Christine Baranski mentioned she was interested in Coco. -And it would be interesting to hear the "original" melody lines.
Oh, and two more KenCen-related cast albums:
Michael Cerveris, Judy Kuhn and Rebecca Luker doing Passion.
And Brian Stokes Mitchell's upcoming Man of La Mancha.
Concept album: Call me a glutton for punishment or a semi-sadist, but I'd love a compilation of all the various Opening Numbers and Special Tributes from the Tony Awards. *I actually liked Nathan Lane and Gregory Hines doing that "girl's song" medley.
And for something from the vaults, a CD/VHS/DVD re-issue of that Little Red Riding Hood TV musical that Liza Minelli did many, many years ago - Kander & Ebb, right?
Singer: Hugh Panaro -again, KenCen-related, but I've always thought he should have a solo album.
And I guess we all shall see if my first attempt at bolding and italicizing was a success...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 09/05/2002 11:07 AM PST

I would LOVE to hear Ms. Baranski have a go at Coco.
Posted by Ben @ 09/05/2002 11:23 AM PST

for Michael Shayne re: the singers on John McGlinn's albums:
There are some rather famous people singing under pseudonyms -- one of the most delightful is Judy (Kaye) Green on Anything Goes. But Bryan Landrine and Del-Bouree Bach are actual names of singer/actors (I have met them both). Dustin Sacks is a fake, but for the life of me I can't remember who is it is.
Posted by Philip Crosby @ 09/05/2002 11:40 AM PST

I agree with dear reader Dave...the first thing that came to mind for me was Brownstone. I've rather enjoyed what little I have heard from it, and would love to hear the rest. Also, a CD you mentioned a few weeks ago you would like to do yourself...another Terry Trotter album covering the Sondheim's you hadn't yet jazzified.
As for concepts, perhaps you could team up with our dear S. Woody White on a "Second Track" album. For those to whom this makes no sense, perhaps S. Woody could explain his second track theory.
Posted by Jed @ 09/05/2002 12:01 PM PST

Happy 300th BK’s notes, both virtual and actual, six days ago and today.
Posted by freedunit @ 09/05/2002 12:10 PM PST

Liz Callaway doing an album of Harold Arlen songs.
Posted by Kerry @ 09/05/2002 12:11 PM PST

Singer albums for Jane Krakowski and Ron Raines.
Posted by Jed @ 09/05/2002 12:21 PM PST

A Bock/Harnick album would be just swell, too.
Posted by Jed @ 09/05/2002 12:55 PM PST

Dave --- The York Theatre Cast Recording of ROADSIDE was recently released on Jay Records. You can get it at Footlights.
And since Roundabout seems to screw up most musicals (the current BOYS FROM SYRACUSE being the most recent example) their mis-casting of NINE makes perfect sense.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/05/2002 12:55 PM PST

Let's have an albom of Hainsies/Kimlets singing. Myself, Jason, Ben, and whatever other talented Hainsies/Kimlets are out there. And we could sing music written by Bruce and other Hainsies/Kimlets. Not to mention Sondheim, Kander/Ebb, Schmidt/Jones, Arlen, Maltby/Shire. Maybe Guy Haines himself could put in a special appearance.
Posted by Hapgood @ 09/05/2002 01:29 PM PST

Dave #2:
I have to recommend the 2 CD vesion that JAY released that featured the concert cast of Nine. The single CD release that was released stateside does not do it justice.
Also Sony classic will be releasing the Original Broadway cast on two CDs. The current release follows the severly edited LP release. Sony (then Columbia) also release a more complete recording on cassette. The two cd release will use this version. It is reported that there is additional material that was recorded that will also find its way unto the cd release.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/05/2002 01:36 PM PST

Concept Album: "What a Drag!" Showstoppers (of the transvestigial variety) from LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, SUGAR, CHICAGO, VICTOR/VICTORIA, etc. Methinks the usual suspects from the Kimmel stable would have a ball with it. Or maybe I'm so out of it (you should pardon the expression) and this has already been done?
Posted by Jay @ 09/05/2002 01:53 PM PST

Duh. And HAIRSPRAY, too.
Posted by Jay @ 09/05/2002 01:53 PM PST

Were all questions asked of BK yesterday answered today?
Or was one of them "missing"?
Posted by Chopped Liver @ 09/05/2002 01:55 PM PST

I remember posting this idea for a recording on another site that I contributed to for awhile. (Can't remember which one it was)Bruce also lurked out there and thats how I found out from him the reason why he won't transfer Stages to CD.
My idea was to call the cd: FOUND in Boston
These will be songs that have been added to Broadway shows after they have opened on Broadway. Sometimes for the touring version and sometimes when a star takes over the part.
I had a list of 25 songs or so. Some the songs that I can remember that could be recorded were:
Who Would Have Dreamed? From Woman of the Year. (This song was cut originally but reinstated for when Raquel Welch took over the role. And yes I know that Ben Bagley recorded the song for one of his CDs)
Open the Window, Sam & Woman of the Year The former is a new song that replaced "We're Gonna Work It Out" and the latter was a rewrite of the title song. Both were used in the touring version that Lauren Bacall did after the Broadway version closed.
Tap Dance Kid There were I think four songs that were written for the touring version of the show.
Victor/Victoria The song that was written for Liza Minnelli when she did the show.
The Party's On Me from the tour of Seesaw and the last song that Dorothy Fields ever wrote.
Don't Ask the Lady & I Wanna Be Yours both from the 1982 Broadway revival of Little Me. Kaye Ballard recorded them, but they were done as part of medley's
I know there were others and it is possible that they have been recorded since I proposed them. I think I talked about 110 in the Shade, but Jay recorded the songs of their 2cd release of the show.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/05/2002 02:04 PM PST

I also would love to see a complete recording of The Wiz
There were many musical numbers and songs that did not make it to the original cast recording. I believe others were cut down as well.
The missing numbers are:
Kalidah Battle
Lion's Dream
Emerald City Ballet (Psst)
Funky Monkeys
Who Do You Think You Are?
A Rested Body is a Rested Mind
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/05/2002 02:09 PM PST

And talking about The Wiz.
Ted Ross who won a Tony Award for his performance as the Lion and recreated his performace for the horrible film version passed away September 3rd.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/05/2002 02:13 PM PST

Re: "Found in Boston" Didn't Jerry Herman add a song or two when La Merman at last appeared in HELLO DOLLY on Broadway?
Posted by Jay @ 09/05/2002 02:15 PM PST

Jay:
I forgot to add that songs that were not recorded. Merman recorded her songs and released them as a 45rpm disc. A lot of the songs I suggested have since been recorded.
Oh well....
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/05/2002 02:23 PM PST

I would certainly like to hear more of the "Lost In Boston" etc. Added "on the Road songs" sounds good too. I have really enjoyed the composer albums and would love to hear another album fom Judy Kuhn. As was discussed a few weeks back, many of us enjoyed the Bagley albums and the BK improved and added so much to the concepts of creating albums of little known songs by great composer and using the best artists available. I miss the excitement of a new BK release. Volume 2 of Kander & Ebb, Coleman etc would certainly be welcome. I would also like to hear the score for "The Yearling" but I think this is already to be done by someone. (Just hearing the Streisand tracks together is not enough).
Thanks Michael for the reminder about "Tap Dance Kid". I have only seen the performance on the Tony Awards but really enjoy the album and it never seems to get a mention anywhere.
Another thought - maybe a collection of tracks from British musicals like "Billy" and "Budgie" which have some treasures that are not widely known. "The Card" also has a couple of good numbers.
Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 09/05/2002 03:42 PM PST

First of all, I agree with William: more UNSUNG MUSICALS and LOST IN BOSTONs would be very nice.
And yes, ditto Jose's comment:
it's high time for a HUGH PANARO solo album.
Kaye Ballard and Jason Graae doing comic duets (Old Fashioned Wedding and You're Just in Love come quickly to mind)
And how about a new MAME recording before the much-discussed TV version arrives?
Marin Mazzie as Mame
Bebe Neuwirth as Vera
Faith Prince as Gooch
James Naughton or Brent Barrett as Beauregard
A complete recording of THE HUMAN COMEDY would also be lovely.
Posted by Tim H. @ 09/05/2002 03:44 PM PST

I love Hapgood's idea of a Hainsie/Kimlet CD. I, of course, would have to discuss it with my agent and manager...ahem yeah, right...but I think it's do-able. Just let me check my date book...
Posted by Jason @ 09/05/2002 03:45 PM PST

Oh, yes...It looks like I'm free. Don't ask me when...OK. I'm free from here on out. Have your people call my people...we'll do lunch. Love ya, baby!
Posted by Jason @ 09/05/2002 03:47 PM PST

I do occasionally miss a question, so Mr. or Miss Chopped Liver and all the ships at sea - what was the question and I shall endeavor to answer it.
I've just done the Jennifer Piech interview which will go up tomorrow - it's a peach. I got her to reveal all the sordid stories of the Titanic preview process and they will raise some eyebrows. Certainly they raised my eyebrows and now my eyebrows are far too high on my face making me look like Rex Harrison in Anna and the King of Siam.
Posted by bk @ 09/05/2002 04:04 PM PST

Has anyone ever heard of/heard/seen the musical ANGRY HOUSEWIVES? I've seen two different productions (one professional and one amateur) and they were both very good. One of the best Act One finale songs of any show is "Cornflakes"! I would LOVE to (finally) have a professionally produced recording of that show (especially if produced by BK!).
Posted by George @ 09/05/2002 04:04 PM PST

I'd love a solo CD by Terrence Mann. And Sandra would like one by Doug Sills.
Posted by Laura @ 09/05/2002 05:15 PM PST

BK, next time you get a chance
-- and WE ALL HOPE it's pretty
soon !! -- please do produce
two ( 2 ) singer albums !
One with Karen Morrow....
and one with Marin Mazzie....
Merci !
Allan: my mentioning of
Christopher Gable the other
day was in regard of the "lisp"
remember ?
I saw Gable in London when
he was in The Good
Companions......
Posted by François @ 09/05/2002 05:24 PM PST

The question was:
Have you heard any of the contestants on "American Idol" sing? If so, which, if any, do you believe would have a good shot at a musical theater career?
And...would you work with him or her?
Posted by They Call Me MISTER Liver @ 09/05/2002 06:39 PM PST

François, Ah, yes, thank you for mentioning Karen Morrow. It would be wonderful to have her do a full album.
Hapgood, just let me get the rust out of my vocal pipes and I'd love to do a Hainsies/Kimlets album. We can do the whole thing virtually, with Mr. BK in CA, Hapgood in Cleveland, Jason and I can be in a studio in NYC and any other talented Hainsies/Kimlets will be in studios in other places. Mr. Bakalor could handle the videoconference end and it would all fall together seamlessly, or to quote some song lyric, "I can dream, can't I?"
Posted by Ben @ 09/05/2002 06:40 PM PST

Oh yes, count me in for the
HHW album. I'm sure George,
JMK, Dennis Clancy, and I
could meet up for one big
Northwest recording session.
Posted by Jed @ 09/05/2002 06:51 PM PST

Count me in for the HHW cd. The four of us can all meet in Steilacoom, Clatskanie or some other hot spot to record our dulcet tones. I would like to see another John Barrowman cd soon. Does anyone know if there are songs used in the hit show "Puppetry of the Penis" or is it just "penile origami" as is advertised? If it doesn't have music the possibilities are endless.
Posted by Dennis Clancy @ 09/05/2002 09:13 PM PST

I would like to see another "Broadway Bound" album. Also the Richard Rodgers album you had planned on doing, a Johnny Mercer album, a Jerome Kern Album, and a studio cast recording with full orchestrations of "Time and Again" or perhaps a few selections on another "Unsung Musicals".
Posted by Kenneth Loging @ 09/05/2002 09:40 PM PST

Karen Morrow... YES!
Posted by Kerry @ 09/05/2002 10:02 PM PST

Mr. Liver: I have never seen American Idol. I do not know what American Idol is, hence I haven't heard anyone from American Idol sing, hence I cannot answer the question which I forgot to answer.
Posted by bk @ 09/05/2002 10:27 PM PST

I'd love to meet w/JMK, Dennis Clancy & Jed as the Northwest contingent of the Hainsie/Kimlet CD! Just tell me when and where!
A couple of other CDs that (I most humbly think) Bruce should do are the final, revised version of RAGS and a complete (three CDs, if necessary) recording of NICK & NORA. I love these scores. I will admit that I've had the opportunity to hear more than what's on the official NICK & NORA CD from other (less "official") sources! ;-)
Posted by George @ 09/05/2002 11:24 PM PST

Ah, the good ol' "Second Song Theory." Not really "Second Track," since so often the overture of a musical is recorded as the first track.
Thank-you, Jed, for remembering the idea, and me. But I'll need to put off describing the theory until tomorrow; I'd like to give some good examples, and need to get my ducks...uh, discs, in line first.
Personally, I'd like to hear more of the Plays On Disc series, simply because it is such a good idea. I'm not sure which plays I'd like to have preserved just yet, and need to think on that one more as well.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/05/2002 11:45 PM PST

Donna From Cabaret West -- It's time for a new calendar!!
Posted by Laura @ 09/06/2002 12:24 AM PST

Yes, the "Broadway Bound" CD should have periodic sequels.
And for the "Hainesy/Kimlets Sing" album, I would love to volunteer my services. Not to sing, mind you, as my singing is a pleasure (?) reserved for my Joe alone, and even he tends to cover his ears. I will however offer to record a somewhat dry lecture on how to compute interest and annuities. This is substantially the same lecture I offered to bail BK out in his Turrette Syndrome Concert when Nancy Sinatra bailed out on him. Although he was able to manage without my generous rescue attempt, the lecture is still available, and my students tell me it is more "relaxing" than the most dreamy ballad. They often smile in rapture as they drift off to dreamland in class.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/06/2002 03:07 AM PST

I know, I know, this is so late that probably no one's going to read it, but we live in hope:
Yes to more Broadway Bound, Unsung Musicals and Lost in Boston and yes to the idea of 'Found in Boston'.
Also yes to a new recording of Promises, Promises. When I saw the City Center Encores production in New York a few years ago, there was a song which I hadn't heard before (can't remember the name of it, I'm afraid) - not sure if it would fall into 'Lost in Boston' or 'Found in Boston' category.
Also, how about a 'Songs of Jimmie Webb' CD by the usual roll-call of artists - I think his songs would suit their voices very well and I know he's written some (largely unproduced) musicals.
And when you do the Hainsie/Kimlet recording, can we have some European tracks? Maybe François and I can meet up mid-Channel!
Posted by Allan @ 09/06/2002 05:54 AM PST

That's 'Jimmy' Webb - I knew that!
Posted by Allan @ 09/06/2002 05:58 AM PST

Allan Of course, we should have European input. You and François could meet on the train in the Chunnel or you could meet in some neutral country like Switzerland, eat chocolate, then record your tracks. As Tom suggested, we could do tracks from English or other European musicals, Billy, The Card, Blood Brothers, etc. When we do the publicity tour, we can have a European junket and I can finally get back to England and France and Ireland! Sounds good to me :-)
Posted by Ben @ 09/06/2002 06:20 AM PST

Some responses to the above:
The two songs added to DOLLY are both on volume one of "Mermania".
There is a complete 2 disk recording of THE HUMAN COMEDY released about four years ago on Galt McDermot's own label. It is an excellent score and the show is an undiscovered gem. The York Theatre did it a few years ago in the "Musicals in Mufti" series and it was one of the best shows ever in that always excellent series.
And BK, "American Idol" (which I have never watched but can't escape hearing about from others) is the 2002 version of "The Ted Mack Amateur Hour" featuring Paula Abdul, some nasty Englishman and a Richard Simmons lookalike who apparently came in 2nd. It is the Fox Network's biggest hit ever.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/06/2002 06:31 AM PST

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